Samia Perkins is a writer and editor at SlashGear and Android Community. She is a science geek, former science teacher, technical writer, and a mom of two. She has been writing for R3 Media since January, and also is the author of SlashGear's Science Week in Review.

In the news this morning: soon you will be able to get a white iPhone 4 that also "will not track you", and Google's mind control claims an unfortunate victim. Also, a superfast gaming notebook from ORIGIN, a crazy thin Thinkpad, and an update for the Nook Color. And a cell tower you can pack away in your suitcase.

We also have lots of tablet news: Acer, Lenovo and Dell are planning new slates. And in the Android world, the G2X will soon get a serving of Gingerbread, Skype has solved problems with its Android app, and Amazon will give you $$ for Android apps. We are also keeping an eye on the PlayStation Network, which is still down after an "external intrusion". Read on for more.

This week in Science, a hybrid car that was green before green was cool, the possible future of solar energy, a couple of interesting concrete concepts, and a whole lot of medical innovations. Oh, and robots. One that takes a licking and keeps on ticking, and others that can go where no man wants to go.

Earth day was this week, so we have featured some green concepts and innovations. We always like seeing more efficient ways of doing things, and a road that powers its own lighting and traffic systems is a great example of that. But first, the world's first hybrid car.

There have been great advances in the use of prosthetic limbs, making them lighter, more comfortable, and easier to move. Scientists at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Center for Bionic Medicine are working on a project to create a robotic prosthesis that would be controlled by the person's own nervous system, and powered so that it can move on its own.

That touchscreen on your phone or tablet is about to get even thinner, thanks to a new substrate developed by AGC. The soda-lime glass measures just 0.28 mm, 15% thinner than the thinnest glass currently available (0.33 mm). It is also lighter, by 15%. The new glass is planned to enter mass production later this month.

Say you were listening to music on your iPhone in the car, or when out for a run. You get home, and want to start the song up on your Mac. You may think you would have to start the song over, yes? Or spend time ffing to the place you left off? No. All you need to do is get a new app, called Seamless. Seamless works both ways, letting you easily move back and forth between iTunes on your phone or your Mac without missing a beat.

Waits for the iPad 2 are getting down to a reasonable timeframe now, as the Apple Store is showing 1-2 week delivery times. So it looks like the craziness surrounding the iPad 2 launch has finally started to calm down, and supply is catching up with demand. A few days after launch, shipping time was up to 3-4 weeks. The demand for the device is still high, and the iPad still predicted to be the bestselling tablet through 2015. Now, though, it may begin to be a bit easier to get your hands on one.

Dialog Semiconductor, maker of the DA8620 PMOLED driver, has announced that Lenovo will be using the driver in the S800, its new transparent feature phone. The S800 has a transparent color display, which uses the SmartXtend driver technology produced by Dialog. The technology helps to optimize the power use of the transparent display.

If you really want to go all out when enjoying your music, check these out. Colorware has come out with a limited edition finish for Beats by Dr. Dre headphones: Chrome. These are not your everyday headphones, and there are being produced in a limited run. Each one will be uniquely engraved. They are powered, noise-cancelling headphones with extra-large 40mm drivers.

If you were not aware, aka perhaps you were still hiding under a rock somewhere, Portal 2 launched today. Yes, Portal 2, with both the original single-player mode and the co-op mode where you’re controlling two robots for the greater good of trans-dimensional cruising. There has been just a little bit of excitement leading up to the launch, and all kinds of craziness popping up around the web regarding the game. Legos, aliens, and disappointments. Pity the poor college students who couldn't afford to buy the game. See our favorites after the cut.

The PAX Prime gaming convention will add a pre-convention just for programmers, designers, producers and artists. This event, called PAX Dev, will allow these folks to actually get some work done, away from the press, and the craziness of the main convention. It will take place two days before PAX Prime, Wednesday and Thursday, August 24 and 25.